picket fence

American

noun

a fence consisting of pickets or pales nailed to horizontal stringers between upright posts.

picket fence British

noun

a fence consisting of pickets supported at close regular intervals by being driven into the ground, by interlacing with strong wire, or by nailing to horizontal timbers fixed to posts in the ground

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of picket fence

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Much like Hogan’s mansion—which occupies three stories—the cottage property backs right onto the beach, with a charming white picket fence added to separate the dwelling from the publicly accessible area.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

A picket fence is trim, as are the schoolhouse’s large windows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

After Thomas and Kristin married in 2010, they bought a house in Renton with a white picket fence.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

A two-storey houseboat - complete with a white picket fence - was towed through San Francisco Bay after the owners were asked to leave Redwood City marina.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2024

The boys stood outside his gray, peeling picket fence.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023